Mahindra Thar 4x4 CRDe (Old)

Synopsis

India's own off road champion gets a new Avatar in its top variant, the Thar CRDe. Keeping the legacy alive, the Thar has gone to a new level of refinement and styling, keeping all the old feels still alive. The DI variant stays conservative whereas the CRDe gets all-new list of features and a remarkable plus noticeable change in appearance. It has got everything which was felt missing from last few years and the change will surely make a place in your heart.

Exterior

The front says it all, with its all new bumper, which is no doubt a very attractive one but seems a bit plastic friendly than the older big piece of metal. The design seems to protect the others from mud exhaling Thar and providing a decent look unlike the open safe in the older generation of the SUV. It comes with new wheel arches matching the bumper and not just that, the canopy at the top has also been slightly modified and given a more perfect finish than before. The headlights are clear lens type, making them brighter and appealing than the older ones. Thar CRDe also comes with new footsteps for the sides.

Interior

This time, the beauty has been perfectly paired with the beast. The new CRDe gets an all new interior and surprisingly, it’s a dual tone Black and Beige. The off road machine gets a soft side inside the cabin, making the interior look nothing less than a miracle for the Thar. It comes with a Thar badge in the center which can be removed in order to get a 2-Din player fitted into it. The dashboard gets all new instrument console, a lockable glove box and beautiful looking AC knobs and switches. The movable AC vents with silver linings add up to the beauty of the Thar.

Instrument Console

The instrument console on the Thar is a 3-Pod type, making the off road experience as beautiful as it can be. The center pod gets the analogue speedometer with a digital odometer below it. The right gets the tachometer whereas the left one gets fuel and other indicators of the car. The console is beautiful and combines will an all new steering wheel, which has been shared with the Mahindra's best seller, the Bolero.

Engine & Gearbox

The Thar CRDe has the 2498 cc NEF TCI-CRDe engine, producing 105 BHP @ 3800 rpm and 247 NM @ 1800-2000 rpm. The power output of the car is excellent and the manual BORGWARNER shift on fly 4WD adds to the utility of the vehicle. The gearbox stays 5-speed manual and the car seems as good from its heart as it is from its muscle. The DI variant stays same with its 2523 cc, 63 BHP engine.

Off-road Ability

The Thar has been made specifically for this section and Mahindra does not compromise on this at any cost. Thar CRDe comes with updated capabilities which completely differ from those limited ones on the DI. Thar CRDe comes with better 235/70-16 tyres for better grip off the road. It comes with an approach angle of 44 degree and a departure angle of 27 degree, making it into those places, which would let you come out once you enter. The ground clearance of 200 mm is very useful while on rocky surfaces. The front and rear axle comes with a full and semi floating Hypoid ratio of 4.3:1 respectively. The rear also gets mechanical locking differential for better traction on all types of surfaces. The turning radius stays at 5.75 m, much shorter than the DI.

Comfort

The new Thar CRDe comes with very comfortable front seats, which are wider than the earlier model. It comes with 6 seat arrangement, with 2 rear benches facing each other. The AC works efficiently and does not let the environment disturb you till you permit yourself. The canopy can be removed and rearranged easily, making it easy for use in rough weathers. The rack and pinion power steering makes each ride as simple as a normal day city drive. The dashboard comes with a handle, which can be clutched by the passenger on the other side of the driver while going on a rough surface.

Brakes & Suspension

The CRDe comes with a 226 mm disc brake for the front whereas the rear uses a 282 mm drum brakes. The dual hydraulic circuit with tandem master cylinder, vacuum assisted servo with auto-slack adjuster promises efficient and impressive braking on this beast. The front suspension is the independent one with a torsion and stabilizer bar whereas the rear is a semi-elliptical leaf spring with shock absorbers. The whole setup performs really well on all type of terrain and the feel of off roading comes truly alive through that.

Variants

The Mahindra Thar is being offered in total 4 variants, with 2 different engine options. Thar CRDe is the most efficient and expensive one whereas the other 3 variants are based on the DI engine. One comes with a 2WD and other with a power steering to the 2WD. The third is the 4X4 DI, which is the most useful DI model.

Shades

Thar CRDe comes in Red Rage, Fiery Black, Mist Silver, Diamond White and Rocky Beige shade. The DI is limited to a lower number of shades.

Ex-showroom Price

Mahindra Thar CRDe comes with a price tag of INR 8.25 lakh, whereas the DI range starts at INR 5.21 lakh for the 2WD variant and goes up to INR 5.96 for the 4WD option.